Recently I spoke about the need to let your voice be heard in the community. I am now asking you to do it in a way that will only take a few minutes of your life and you don't even need to leave home.
The community is in the final stages of solidifying the Colorado Boulevard plan for replacing one traffic lane in each direction with a bike lane. Last week the Department of Transportation held a well-attended community meeting at Occidental College. The majority of the attendees, based on comments and those who spoke, support this redesign of Colorado Boulevard. It is true that the opposition did speak with great passion and sometimes anger, citing concerns that are not supported by factual analysis.
By replacing one traffic lane on each side of the street, Eagle Rock will realize the following critical valuable benefits:
- Safer for drivers (slower traffic)
- Safer to exit a parked car on the street (driver) side.
- Safer for bikers (dedicated lane)
- Safer for pedestrians to cross the boulevard (fewer traffic lanes to cross)
- Promotes a healthier life style (more biking and walking)
What's going to happen to traffic? The current configuration of the boulevard (six lanes) serves fewer vehicles than it was designed to support. Consequently, unacceptable traffic delays are not anticipated.
Your Call to Action:
Send an email supporting bike lines to the following recipients --
Sample Text: "My zip code is xxxxx. I am writing to support the implementation of bike lanes and the reduction of traffic lanes on Colorado Boulevard." Please nclude your name.
Attend the Eagle Rock Neighborhood Council Meeting - April 2, 7 p.m. - Eagle Rock City Hall / 2nd floor.
Please plan on attending the meeting and speaking in support of the transformation of Colorado Boulevard from a street that is dominated by automobiles to a street that better serves drivers, pedestrians and bikers.
The reason I am giving this so much attention is not because I am lobbying for bikers, although I do applaud those who use pedal power. It's not because I have anything against automobiles. It's because I want our community to be the best it can be. That is not achieved by having automobiles dominate our Main Street. Redefining the nature of Colorado Boulevard will absolutely change our downtown so that it welcomes everyone! Do your part; help us to take the next step.
